Governor Murphy Elected Chair of National Governors Association
Earlier this month, Governor Phil Murphy was elected Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) as the bipartisan association works alongside governors to collaborate on economic recovery, infrastructure investment, health care, cybersecurity, workforce development and other important priorities.
In one of his first acts as chair, Murphy delivered a speech at the NGA’s 2022 Summer Meeting in Portland, Maine, that emphasized themes of bipartisanship and finding “common ground” on issues between red and blue states.
As NGA chair, Murphy said he will focus on addressing youth mental health needs as his core initiative. The Initiative’s “four core pillars” include “prevention and resilience building, increasing awareness and reducing stigma, access to affordability of quality treatment and care and educator training and support.”
A full transcript of Murphy’s remarks at the NGA Summer Meeting can be found here.
Charge Up New Jersey Year 3 Incentives Announced
The Charge Up New Jersey program, which promotes clean vehicle adoption in the state by offering incentives of up to $4,000 for the purchase or lease of new. Eligible zero-emission vehicles including battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, has now started its third year.
Last week, Governor Murphy announced the launch of a new affiliated program that will provide qualified residents who purchase an electric vehicle with $250 towards installation of a home-based electric vehicle charging system in addition to the existing $4,000 incentive.
The program also provides $4 million towards condominium, apartment, and mixed-use developments for the installation of charging stations at off-street parking areas. The FY2023 state budget has also dedicated $30 million towards the state’s fleet of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Murphy said that the programs represent approximately $60 million from the Clean Energy Fund.
“As the prices of electric vehicles continue to fall more in line with prices of gas-powered cars, we know this incentive can push more buyers to make the decision to go electric,” said Murphy.
Click here to read more about Charge Up New Jersey’s Year 3 incentive programs.
Super PAC with ties to Fulop amasses $5.4 million
A super PAC with close ties to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop has built up a multimillion dollar war chest and has pledged to spread the money around the state, as Fulop’s allies increase their speculation of his potential gubernatorial run in 2025.
Coalition for Progress, which was founded in 2015 as Fulop prepared for a gubernatorial run for in 2017, has more than $5.4 million in the bank, according to its latest filing with the Federal Election Commission on July 15. It raised $456,600 in donations during the last quarter, though it lost about $120,000 in its stock market investments.
In the past year, the super PAC has spent $36,347 — about 0.6 percent of its funds — on two local candidates in Union County: Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese in a December runoff and Roselle Council President Denise Wilkerson in the June Democratic primary.
Drew Nussbaum, Chair of Coalition for Progress said, “Coalition for Progress is proud of the success we have had raising significant amounts of money and we certainly plan to expand our engagement into local elections in New Jersey this fall, as well as other potential races where we can identify candidates who share our values and will fight for the middle class.”
New Legislator Profile: Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr. (D-5)
Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr. was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in November 2022 where he currently serves as Deputy Majority Leader. Moen serves as Vice Chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee and is a member of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
Moen previously served as the Director of US Senator Cory Booker’s South Jersey office and on the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 2016-2019.
Remembering Assemblyman Ron Dancer
Assemblyman Ron Dancer (R-12), a 20-year veteran of the New Jersey Legislature, has passed away at the age of 73.
Mr. Dancer first served in elected office on the Plumsted Township committee and became mayor in 1990. He continued to be selected for one-year terms until 2011 when he retired from the committee, served on the Ocean County Board of Social Services since 1997 (as Chair), the Ocean County Natural Lands and Farmland Preservation Advisory Committee since 1998 and the Ocean County Senior Services Advisory Council since 2002.
He was also on the New Jersey Horse Racing Commission from 1999 to 2002. After retiring as mayor, he served as the business administrator for Plumsted Township, and first assumed office as an assemblyman in 2002.
“Assemblyman Dancer proudly and faithfully represented his constituents in the State Legislature for over two decades, and he honorably served his country in the United States Army.
“Assemblyman Dancer was a committed fighter for New Jersey’s taxpayers, veterans, small businesses and agricultural community, but above all, we will miss his warmth, kindness and integrity,” said Tom Szymanski, Executive Director of the New Jersey Republican State Committee (NJGOP).
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